Confession 157

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Kapilavatthu. At that time, Mahānāma the Sakyan invited the Buddha and both sanghas for the next day’s meal. The Buddha accepted in silence. Having understood that the Buddha had accepted in silence, (Mahānāma) paid respect with his head at (the Buddha’s) feet, circumambulated him on the right side, and left. He returned to his home and prepared all kinds of delicious foods and drinks the whole night. He got up early, laid out seats, and sent a messenger to tell the Buddha: “The time has come, the food is fully prepared. May the Noble One know (it’s the right) time.” The Buddha and both sanghas entered and all sat down. When (Mahānāma) knew that the Buddha was seated, he brought water with his own hands, himself gave all kinds of delicious foods and drinks, and invited them until they were satisfied. At that time, the bhikkhunīs supporting Devadatta had full bowls of rice in front of them, with curries sprinkled on top, but they weren’t eating, and were looking around. Mahānāma the Sakyan thought: “I’ll have a look everywhere who has little, who has much, who is eating, and who isn’t eating.” He saw the bhikkhunīs supporting Devadatta with bowls full of rice and curries in front of them but not eating, and said: “Good women, why aren’t you eating?” They answered: “We’ve already eaten earlier. Why would we take more food?” He answered: “Then take it away.” Mahānāma the Sakyan was virtuous and not upset, but the householders following him said: “Mahānāma the Sakyan supports the sangha as though serving a high-ranking person, but the bhikkhunīs show disdain.”

The Buddha saw from a distance what the bhikkhunīs were doing, and heard the criticism of the householders. After the meal, he went to the monastery, gathered both sanghas, and criticized the bhikkhunīs supporting Devadatta with all kinds of reasons: “Mahānāma the Sakyan supports the sangha as though serving a high-ranking person. Why did you show disdain?” Having criticized them with all kinds of reasons, he said to the bhikkhus: “From now on, I allow the bhikkhunīs eat several times. Why? Because women like to eat several times. For 10 benefits, I’ll lay down a precept for the bhikkhunīs. From now on, this precept should be recited thus:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī accepts an invitation and doesn’t eat anything, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“Pācittiya” means burn, cook, cover, obstruct. If she doesn’t confess the offense, it can obstruct the path.

Herein, this is an offense: If a bhikkhunī accepts an invitation and doesn’t even eat one mouthful, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she accepts an invitation and doesn’t eat, she incurs a pācittiya. (End of rule 157.)